Who presently is the best right back in football? So many names come to mind. Pesky little Dani Alves, Inter Milan's Maicon, every Spanish girl's dream date Sergio Ramos, and talented others. The position isn't what it used to be. The days of a big clumpy monster thumping center forwards into the stands all match are beginning to vanish and a new age on the right flank is on the horizon. The right back of the future is a tidy player both at the back and in the offensive third. The breed is much more attacking orientated, a second right winger perhaps. Who can do it all? Who has the fitness to be up and down that flank so often their boots are stained white from the line? Who has the correct balance of attack and defence? How are they useful? How are they defending one on one? Atacking one on one? Marking or losing their marks themselves? All of a sudden right back doesn't look as easy at sounds. The first two that come to mind, especially after this summers entertaining Confederations Cup are Brazilian pair, Dani Alves and Maicon.
Inter Milan's Maicon is quickly becoming a fan favorite. He is a power house and a work horse. At 6' tall and 170lbs of nothing but meat, his athleticism is almost impossible to match. He is fit and raring to go. Despite being so athletic, it appears at times he might take it for granted, occasionally lackadaisical. As all right backs he struggles to make up ground when the opposition counters but is a tough defender to go by one on one. He can get his body in the way and simply use speed and force to make wingers feel uncomfortable going at him. He may sound like a bruiser but naturally, being one of the Samba Boys, he is technically gifted and engages well in combinations while penetrating the attacking half. He is often found on the offensive side of the midfield line leaving his defensive responsibilities too much for the center back closest to the right. Serie A doesn't look the greatest league of the big league at this point, but since arriving at Inter from AS Monaco 3 years ago, he has won the league title on every occasion. In his 3 year spell at the Italian giants he has scored a total of 8 goals and assisted 22 in all competitions. However, he has threatened to quit Inter Milan several times this summer and may be a bit of a behavior problem to the club. He is Dunga's first choice for the Brazilian national team, competing with Dani Alves.
Alves, part of the Barca squad that managed the tripple last season, is versatile, sneaky, quick, and crafty. Don't let his size fool you. He can create. A real tallent with the ball at his feet. A bit of a show boat but still affective. He is a spark in a team that needs a boost as seen when coming off the pine for Brazil in their Confederations Cup triumph this summer in South Africa. Last season he tallied 11 assists and five goals of his own. He takes freekicks, but not well. He did manage to score a cracker from a set piece at the edge of the area close to full time against South Africa in the semi final this summer but rarely connects with the net otherwise. He takes the approach of straight lacing the ball as hard as he can. It usually ends up as a meteorite speeding toward the planet Mars if it doesn't knock down stadium light on the way out of the park. I mentioned Alves was featured as a substitute this summer but that wasn't always the case. He began the Confederations Cup as a starter over Maicon in the tournament opener against Egypt. After Brazil built a comfortable lead, out of position Dani Alves had a part to play in two of the three Egyptian goals which triggered a nail-biting ending to the match. He was a substitute ever since. That's not the only occurrence that points a wary finger at his defending. During the second leg of the semifinals in the Champions League last year against Chelsea in West London, he looked puzzled when trying to handle the pace of French trickster Malouda, often fouling him or being beaten. The Brazilian's temper flared. A wonder strike from Iniesta and a dreadful performance from the match official saw Barca to the final where they went on to beat Manchester United 2-0. Alves was suspended and missed the match.
Being a Madridista, you may have guessed my favorite candidate, Sergio Ramos. The young Spaniard has tasted glory with both Real Madrid and the national team as the first choice right back in the monumental Euro 2008. Built much like Maicon, but a bit lighter, he is acrobatic and athletic, creative, and spontaneous. Last season Ramos scored 7 goals for los bloncos. He is capable or delivering a top notch curling ball into the area. He can lose his defenders on corners and set plays and his a powerful header of the ball. Being 3 years younger than Alves and 5 younger than Maicon, signing with Real Madrid at age 19 from Sevilla, he is a ball of energy. It isn't surprising to see him throw down an acrobatic kick from just about anywhere on the pitch or a gymnastics display after he scores. At times he appears not to be playing right back at all, and therefore leaving his side open for counters. His adventurous side can get him in trouble at times, but if cornered by defenders, he always has a clever trick up his sleeve to get himself out of a tight situation. Defending on his part is not the best one on one but I'd be sure to move if I caught him thundering toward me because the boy is a viscous slide tackler. The rambunctious youth was named in 2008's Euro XI and FIFA XI.
It is almost impossible to decide. I can't do it on my own. There are other right backs out there with quality such as Bosingwa or Manchester United's young Rafael who looks to be extremely promising, but the three names really at hand are listed above. All are rare talents and none need to be jealous of the others ability. Perhaps the next season will set them apart.
Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid
Bobby
Inter Milan's Maicon is quickly becoming a fan favorite. He is a power house and a work horse. At 6' tall and 170lbs of nothing but meat, his athleticism is almost impossible to match. He is fit and raring to go. Despite being so athletic, it appears at times he might take it for granted, occasionally lackadaisical. As all right backs he struggles to make up ground when the opposition counters but is a tough defender to go by one on one. He can get his body in the way and simply use speed and force to make wingers feel uncomfortable going at him. He may sound like a bruiser but naturally, being one of the Samba Boys, he is technically gifted and engages well in combinations while penetrating the attacking half. He is often found on the offensive side of the midfield line leaving his defensive responsibilities too much for the center back closest to the right. Serie A doesn't look the greatest league of the big league at this point, but since arriving at Inter from AS Monaco 3 years ago, he has won the league title on every occasion. In his 3 year spell at the Italian giants he has scored a total of 8 goals and assisted 22 in all competitions. However, he has threatened to quit Inter Milan several times this summer and may be a bit of a behavior problem to the club. He is Dunga's first choice for the Brazilian national team, competing with Dani Alves.
Alves, part of the Barca squad that managed the tripple last season, is versatile, sneaky, quick, and crafty. Don't let his size fool you. He can create. A real tallent with the ball at his feet. A bit of a show boat but still affective. He is a spark in a team that needs a boost as seen when coming off the pine for Brazil in their Confederations Cup triumph this summer in South Africa. Last season he tallied 11 assists and five goals of his own. He takes freekicks, but not well. He did manage to score a cracker from a set piece at the edge of the area close to full time against South Africa in the semi final this summer but rarely connects with the net otherwise. He takes the approach of straight lacing the ball as hard as he can. It usually ends up as a meteorite speeding toward the planet Mars if it doesn't knock down stadium light on the way out of the park. I mentioned Alves was featured as a substitute this summer but that wasn't always the case. He began the Confederations Cup as a starter over Maicon in the tournament opener against Egypt. After Brazil built a comfortable lead, out of position Dani Alves had a part to play in two of the three Egyptian goals which triggered a nail-biting ending to the match. He was a substitute ever since. That's not the only occurrence that points a wary finger at his defending. During the second leg of the semifinals in the Champions League last year against Chelsea in West London, he looked puzzled when trying to handle the pace of French trickster Malouda, often fouling him or being beaten. The Brazilian's temper flared. A wonder strike from Iniesta and a dreadful performance from the match official saw Barca to the final where they went on to beat Manchester United 2-0. Alves was suspended and missed the match.
Being a Madridista, you may have guessed my favorite candidate, Sergio Ramos. The young Spaniard has tasted glory with both Real Madrid and the national team as the first choice right back in the monumental Euro 2008. Built much like Maicon, but a bit lighter, he is acrobatic and athletic, creative, and spontaneous. Last season Ramos scored 7 goals for los bloncos. He is capable or delivering a top notch curling ball into the area. He can lose his defenders on corners and set plays and his a powerful header of the ball. Being 3 years younger than Alves and 5 younger than Maicon, signing with Real Madrid at age 19 from Sevilla, he is a ball of energy. It isn't surprising to see him throw down an acrobatic kick from just about anywhere on the pitch or a gymnastics display after he scores. At times he appears not to be playing right back at all, and therefore leaving his side open for counters. His adventurous side can get him in trouble at times, but if cornered by defenders, he always has a clever trick up his sleeve to get himself out of a tight situation. Defending on his part is not the best one on one but I'd be sure to move if I caught him thundering toward me because the boy is a viscous slide tackler. The rambunctious youth was named in 2008's Euro XI and FIFA XI.
It is almost impossible to decide. I can't do it on my own. There are other right backs out there with quality such as Bosingwa or Manchester United's young Rafael who looks to be extremely promising, but the three names really at hand are listed above. All are rare talents and none need to be jealous of the others ability. Perhaps the next season will set them apart.
Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid
Bobby
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